HUNDREDS of orienteers from across Australia have traversed diverse courses in the Loddon during the national three-day event over Easter.
Organiser Julie Flynn said competitors, including a handful from Britain, New Zealand and Hong Kong, had enjoyed the different terrain of the courses.
Competitors and supporters had booked out accommodation in the shire with a special 80-site camp set up at Newbridge Recreation Reserve.
The event, that received backing from the State Government and Loddon Shire, started with a prologue event at Tarnagulla on Good Friday followed by competition at Inglewood and Borung before returning to Tarnagulla on Monday.
Saturday also included an official ceremony where Julie and Orienteering Victoria president David Jaffe watched competitors on the large screen as cameras recorded them traversing a course around the botanical gardens.
Mayor Dan Straub congratulated Julie and fellow organisers Margi Freemantle, Aislinn Prendergast and Ted van Geldermalsen during the official opening.
Cr Straub said the three-day nationals was an opportunity to showcase the natural beauty of the shire.
He said organisers had been “thorough and excellent event planners”.
Flavours of Loddon food stalls catered for the big day that had more than 700 competitors. It was the first time in 12 years that Victoria had hosted the national event.
And an estimated 300 runners and supporters are staying in Loddon communities this week ahead of a series of events over the Anzac Day weekend.